What is ERAS?
- An evidenced-based care pathway designed to shorten recovery and improve outcomes after abdominal colon and rectal surgery
- There are many components of the program:
- Pre-operative measures-things we ask you, the patient to do before surgery
- Intra-operative measures-techniques used in the operating room to speed your recovery
- Post-operative measures-care plans in the hospital after surgery to speed your recovery
- Dr. Jeffrey Manchio had a critical role in designing this program at Providence St. Vincent Hospital that is used by all our surgeons
Why Do We Use ERAS?
- Fewer complications
- Less pain
- Improved patient experience
- Shorter length of hospital stay after surgery
- Cost reduction
- All without increased readmissions or ER visits!
Pre-Operative Components
- Smoking cessation if possible
- Blood sugar control
- Nutrition Optimization
- Impact (a nutrition drink) for 5 days prior to surgery
- Clear liquids or Boost Breeze until 2-4 hours before arrival for surgery
- Pain medication
- Entereg-a medication to help your colon recover from surgery
Intra-Operative Components
- Local anesthesia to block pain fibers
- Prevention of nausea
- Fluid management
- Minimally invasive surgery
- No nasogastric tube
Post-Operative Components
- Clear liquids and advancing diet as tolerated
- Walking in the halls
- Tylenol
- Narcotics only as needed
- Entereg
- Early discharge